Thanks for sharing we also shed the tears. From experience I can share our first year back in 2017 was full of ups and downs. Ours came back at 11.5 months got a 1,2,3 inning; we all felt relief , velo was back we were pumped. He really thought he would be built up for multiple innings and again start but he never got strong enough for it. He had a tough year, his feel was not there and could not control his run on fastball. Add to it the fact he only pitched 1 inning at a time and had to adjust to a reliever schedule it took quite a while to get feel back. He had some great innings and some uncharacteristic rough ones with lots more walks. Summer ball was better with only a couple of rough innings.
Mentally not performing was the toughest struggle. He shut down did not touch a ball for 6 weeks and is now back through throwing program to the point where he is throwing pens and feels great. It is 18 months post surgery and he finally feels good again we can't wait for this season. The plan is to lengthen him out to start again.
My long winded point to everyone who is going through it, it takes time to truly get the feel and strength back. He thought throwing without pain at the same velo meant he was back but he wasn't. Our wish for him this year is simple, stay healthy that's it. If he stays healthy at the start of the season it will be 24 months post TJ, the results will come as he has put in the work.